The Asahi Shimbun Weekly

The Asahi Shimbun Weekly

JR Kyushu Opens Luxury Train Nanatsuboshi Production

The Asahi Shimbun

The frame of the rear coach of JR Kyushu's luxury train 'Nanatsuboshi' is seen during a press preview at Hitachi Ltd Kasado Factory on February 5, 2013 in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan. The coach, will be used as 'Deluxe Suite' carriage, will cost 1.1million Japanese yen (approximately 11,710 U.S. Dollars) for 3 nights travel for two people. The train will be in service in October 2013.

The frame of the rear coach of JR Kyushu's luxury train 'Nanatsuboshi' is seen during a press preview at Hitachi Ltd Kasado Factory on February 5, 2013 in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan. The coach, will be used as 'Deluxe Suite' carriage, will cost 1.1million Japanese yen (approximately 11,710 U.S. Dollars) for 3 nights travel for two people. The train will be in service in October 2013.

Paper balloons light up the night sky on February 11, 2013 in Senboku, Akita, Japan. The night skies of Senboku were ablaze in a warm orange light as the people in this northern Japanese city celebrated their traditional Kami Fusen Age (Flying Paper Balloon) festival.

Paper balloons light up the night sky on February 11, 2013 in Senboku, Akita, Japan. The night skies of Senboku were ablaze in a warm orange light as the people in this northern Japanese city celebrated their traditional Kami Fusen Age (Flying Paper Balloon) festival.

JR Tokai's New Bullet Train N700A Debuts

The Asahi Shimbun

New Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train N700A is seen during the launching ceremony at Tokyo Station on February 8, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. The new train, boasting an automated speed control system and a host of passenger-friendly features, makes its commercial debut.

New Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train N700A is seen during the launching ceremony at Tokyo Station on February 8, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. The new train, boasting an automated speed control system and a host of passenger-friendly features, makes its commercial debut.

Yamanote Line Suspended, Affects Rush Hour Commuters

The Asahi Shimbun

Yamanote line platforms are packed with commuters at Shinagawa Station on February 5, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. Both inner and outer circle services were suspended for more than 50 minutes in rush hour due to a man in his sixties fell to the rail track, the accident affected 55,500 commuters.

Yamanote line platforms are packed with commuters at Shinagawa Station on February 5, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. Both inner and outer circle services were suspended for more than 50 minutes in rush hour due to a man in his sixties fell to the rail track, the accident affected 55,500 commuters.

Heart-Shaped Plant Shipment In Full Swing

The Asahi Shimbun

Workers pack heart-shaped plant Wax heart, or Sweetheart hoya for shipment on Janaury 29, 2013 in Mizuho, Gifu, Japan. The plant, sold as 'Love Love Heart' named after the leaf shape, is popular for Valentine's Day gift.

Workers pack heart-shaped plant Wax heart, or Sweetheart hoya for shipment on Janaury 29, 2013 in Mizuho, Gifu, Japan. The plant, sold as 'Love Love Heart' named after the leaf shape, is popular for Valentine's Day gift.

Masks Shuts Out PM2.5 Production In Full Swing

The Asahi Shimbun

Workers sew ordermade masks, that shuts out particulate matter (PM) 2.5 as the mesh size of the mask is approximately 0.1 micrometers, at a mesh factory Clever on February 8, 2013 in Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. The demand has been increasing since reports on China's pollution began, mainly from Japanese companies in China and Kyushu area.

Workers sew ordermade masks, that shuts out particulate matter (PM) 2.5 as the mesh size of the mask is approximately 0.1 micrometers, at a mesh factory Clever on February 8, 2013 in Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. The demand has been increasing since reports on China's pollution began, mainly from Japanese companies in China and Kyushu area.

JR Tokai's New Bullet Train N700A Debuts

The Asahi Shimbun

New Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train N700A is seen during its launching ceremony at Shin Osaka Station on February 8, 2013 in Osaka, Japan. The new train, boasting an automated speed control system and a host of passenger-friendly features, makes its commercial debut.

New Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train N700A is seen during its launching ceremony at Shin Osaka Station on February 8, 2013 in Osaka, Japan. The new train, boasting an automated speed control system and a host of passenger-friendly features, makes its commercial debut.

Japanese Embassy In Beijing Holds Session On How To Cope Air Pollution

The Asahi Shimbun

Japanese business people check the air cleaners during the sessions for Japanese nationals on how to cope with recent serious air pollution in China at Japanese Embassy on February 6, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Japanese Embassy has likened conditions for residents in this heavily polluted city to 'testing on animals.'

Japanese business people check the air cleaners during the sessions for Japanese nationals on how to cope with recent serious air pollution in China at Japanese Embassy on February 6, 2013 in Beijing, China. The Japanese Embassy has likened conditions for residents in this heavily polluted city to 'testing on animals.'

TEPCO Opens Common Spent-Fuel Pool At Fukushima Daiichi Plant

The Asahi Shimbun

The common spent-fuel pool, where all the nuclear fuel rods will be stored for decommissioning, is seen at Tokyo Electric Power Co., Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on February 5, 2013 in Okuma, Fukushima, Japan.

The common spent-fuel pool, where all the nuclear fuel rods will be stored for decommissioning, is seen at Tokyo Electric Power Co., Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on February 5, 2013 in Okuma, Fukushima, Japan.

Keywords

The frame of the rear coach of JR Kyushu's luxury train... News PhotoHorizontal,Human Interest,Japan,Kyushu Railway,Luxury,Press PreviewPhotographer The Asahi ShimbunCollection: The Asahi Shimbun 2013 The Asahi ShimbunKUDAMATSU, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 05: (CHINA OUT, SOUTH KOREA OUT) The frame of the rear coach of JR Kyushu's luxury train 'Nanatsuboshi' is seen during a press preview at Hitachi Ltd Kasado Factory on February 5, 2013 in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan. The coach, will be used as 'Deluxe Suite' carriage, will cost 1.1million Japanese yen (approximately 11,710 U.S. Dollars) for 3 nights travel for two people. The train will be in service in October 2013. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)